Shia Muslims around the world consider Ashura as a sad Holy day as back in 680 Imam Hussein – the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad – was killed in the battle of Karbala. Apart from memorial services and mourning processions, many worshipers participate in flagellation when they use special swords or chains with blades called ‘zanjeer.’ Some of them believe that taking part in Ashura washes away their sins.

Not all Shia clerics support such rituals as this may bring a negative image of their communities. Instead, they encourage the worshipers to donate blood to those in need.

Volunteers offer food to fellow pilgrims as thousands of Iranian Shiite Muslims make their way to the Mehran border point between Iran and Iraq, heading toward the central Iraqi shrine city of Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen religious festival. Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after Ashura, commemorates the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Imam Hussein.

Shiite pilgrims pray Friday at the Imam Hussein shrine in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala during the Arbaeen religious festival, to mark the 40th day after Ashura and also celebrate the Islamic State group’s battlefield defeats.